FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 30, 2024

AmeriCorps Adopts Common Rule to Protect Human Subjects in Evidence Building Activities

WASHINGTON, DC— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for service and volunteerism, announced the adoption of the Federal Policy for Protection of Human Subjects, referred to as the Common Rule. AmeriCorps joins 20 other federal agencies and departments, who have all adopted the rule through codification or executive order. The Common Rule clarifies the procedures that AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps-supported research initiatives must follow, whenever human subjects are involved.

The adoption of the Common Rule is unlikely to result in any major changes, but it will provide a clear framework to maintain the safety and ethical treatment of people involved in studies, in alignment with other institutions across the federal government. It clarifies when certain research elements (like Institutional Review Boards and obtaining consent) are required, or when some research may be exempt from those requirements. All departments and offices across the agency will be required to comply with the requirements outlined in the Rule. Partners in the field who receive funding from AmeriCorps to carry out evidence-building activities must also follow the Common Rule, which will be referenced in the grant’s Terms and Conditions.

“Adopting this rule will clarify expectations and procedures for our evaluation, data collection, and performance measurement,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “This is one more concrete step to ensuring that our field is prepared to collect important data to inform best practices in national service and how we can most effectively invest our resources.”

"Adopting the Common Rule is one more practice AmeriCorps is using to protect the public's trust and ensure that the agency has the most credible and actionable information possible for decision making," said Dr. Mary Hyde, Director, Office of Research and Evaluation. 

The agency’s plan for adopting the Common Rule was published for public comment in September of 2022. All respondents offered comments expressing favorability, especially with respect to obtaining consent from subjects and ensuring standardization across research initiatives. The agency has since updated its internal policies and procedures. The final rule will go into effect on November 29, 2024. 

The full text can be found in the federal register, here: Protection of Human Subjects Final Rule.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.